As the 48 protesters were led away by police, spectators began chanting Robert and Conor’s names.

Robert Kennedy is president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a New York-based environmental organization. Throughout his career he has gained a reputation as a defender of environmental issues.

A press release from the Sierra Club, one of the most influential grassroots environmental organizations in the US, which also participated in the rally, stated, “After being taken away from the White House in handcuffs, both Kennedys were driven to a Park Police station and released after paying a fine.”

“For the first time in the Sierra Club’s 120-year history, we have joined the ranks of visionaries of the past and present to engage in civil disobedience, knowing that the issue at hand is so critical, it compels the strongest defensible action,” Michael Brune, executive director of the environmental group, told RadarOnline.

“We cannot afford to allow the production, transport, export and burning of the dirtiest oil on Earth via the Keystone XL pipeline. President Obama must deny the pipeline and take decisive steps to address climate disruption, the most significant issue of our time.”